Save The Date!: The Rebel and the Heiress / Not Just a Convenient Marriage / Crown Prince, Pregnant Bride

He wanted to swear, but he knew she wouldn’t like it so he didn’t.

‘And then I realised I was wasting all of this time going to parties I didn’t enjoy, buying clothes I didn’t want and doing coffee on a weekly basis with women who called me their friend but who haven’t had the decency to return my phone calls since calamity came calling.’

He did swear this time.

She transferred her glare to her coffee. ‘That was when I decided to be done with all that and focus on something more important.’ Her lips lifted. ‘Like cupcakes.’

He’d have laughed except he suddenly saw it all too clearly, could see now why she’d done what she had.

‘You handed your trust fund, your apartment, and your car over to your father because you wanted to make a clean break with your past.’

‘Bingo, tough guy.’ She might sound sophisticated and self-assured, but she couldn’t hide the vulnerability that flickered through her eyes. ‘Do you think that’s stupid of me?’

‘I think it was smart and brave. You don’t need to be beholden to people like that.’

‘Thank you.’

She smiled and for a moment he swore he saw glitter flickering at the edge of his vision. He blinked it away. ‘There’s one thing I don’t get.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Why are you fighting to keep this old relic of a house? Why don’t you rid yourself of the responsibility?’ And rake in some much-needed moolah while she was at it?

‘This house belonged to my grandmother. She’s the only person who loved me unconditionally. And she loved this house.’

She wouldn’t have wanted it to become an albatross around her granddaughter’s neck, surely?

‘My parents lived here once they were married, not because it was convenient for the factory but because they wanted to be seen living in the Big House, as you call it. They never loved the place. They look at it and all they see are dollar signs. I look at it and...’

She didn’t finish the sentence.

‘And you see a Victorian teahouse.’

‘You think that’s dumb?’

‘I think it’s an interesting business plan with definite potential.’

She leaned towards him, her face alive. It was the way she’d looked at him fifteen years ago when she’d given him her locket. Only she wasn’t a little girl any more but a woman. And he was a grown man.

Heat circled in his veins to pool in his lap. He surreptitiously tried to adjust his jeans, reminding himself about trouble and complications and grief and misery. He was not going to travel down that road with Nell. This wasn’t a fairy tale. It wouldn’t end well. He gritted his teeth. Business—this was just business.

‘I’ve done my homework. High teas have become big business in Sydney. Lots of clients are looking for themed party venues—something a bit different. I think Whittaker House will fit the bill perfectly. I predict my Victorian teahouse will become a big hit, not only for birthday parties, but for hen parties, bridal showers, anniversaries and family reunions too.’

He didn’t doubt her for a moment.

‘I know Whittaker House isn’t Downton Abbey, but it does have its own charm and I happen to think other people would enjoy the location too.’

‘Absolutely, but...’

Her face fell. ‘But?’

He hated being the voice of reason. ‘It’ll take a lot of start-up capital to get the business off the ground.’ The house would need a lick of paint both inside and out. The grounds would need to be not only wrestled into shape but manicured to within an inch of its life. She’d need to kit out the entire operation with suitable tables and chairs, pretty linens and crockery. It wouldn’t come cheap.

‘Which is why I’m preparing a business plan to take to my bank manager with projected costs, profits et cetera in the hope I can secure a business loan.’

‘Which, unless you have some other asset you’ve not told me about, will mean putting Whittaker House up as collateral.’

He watched the fire leach out of her eyes. ‘How’d you know that?’

It wasn’t an accusation but a genuine bid for knowledge. ‘I did a business course when I was in prison.’

She chewed her lip and nodded. Her glance sharpened. ‘Do you have your own business?’

He shook his head.

‘If you’re as handy as you say, then maybe you should start up your own building business.’

He choked. ‘Me?’

‘Why not?’

‘There have to be at least a million reasons!’

‘And probably just as many why you should,’ she said in that tone of voice. ‘Well, I’m still going to put my proposal together and make an appointment with my bank manager. If I get no joy there then I’ll have to find investors.’

‘Which means the business is no longer your own.’

‘Which isn’t ideal, but it’s better than nothing.’

He could click his fingers and make the money appear for her. If he wanted. For a moment he was tempted. He cut the thought off. He hadn’t told Nell he was rich for the simple reason that he didn’t want the news getting about.

She tossed her head. ‘I bet there must be some kind of government initiative to assist fledgling businesses. I’ll check into that too.’

He had to give her credit. She wasn’t sitting around waiting for Prince Charming to swing by and rescue her.

She lifted her chin. ‘And if it takes longer to get off the ground than I want, so be it.’

In the meantime she’d be stuck with the upkeep of the place. ‘You know your grandmother’s rings would bring in the kind of money you need.’

‘Out of the question.’

Stubborn. He respected that, but it wouldn’t pay the power bills.

She dusted off her hands. ‘In the meantime, you’re going to do some work on the place in return for rent-free use of the cottage.’

‘And cupcakes.’

Her lips twitched. ‘And sandwiches and a Sunday roast or two.’